Huge Victorian fire still burning even as weather conditions ease

A fire burning for a week in Victoria's west remains out of control despite light rain and cooler conditions.

Firefighters brought a grassfire near Corindhap and Dereel in the Central West under control last night but residents in a string of turns further to the north-west faced yet another night being told it was too dangerous to return home.

The Bayindeen-Rocky Road fire, which broke out on February 22, was still burning strongly this morning, leaving several towns in the area between Ballarat and Ararat under a watch and act warning. 

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"Despite recent light rain in the area, the bushfire at Bayindeen-Rocky Road is not yet under control and is still active," authorities warned in an alert issued late last night.

"It is not safe to return to the warning area."

Affected areas included Main Lead, Waterloo, Bayindeen, Ben Nevis, Glenlogie and Raglan.

It was better news for those living in Corindhap, Dereel and Rokewood Junction, about 60 kilometres north-west of Geelong, where are grass fire that forced residents to shelter inside was brought under control after midnight.

"Staying close to a building where you can shelter is the safest option, as conditions can change suddenly," authorities said.

Some Victorian residents have opted to remain in bushfire areas to protect their homes yesterday as the state faced its most dangerous conditions in four years.

Cooler conditions are expected today with highs in the mid-20s for Melbourne and most of the west. But the mercury is expected to soar into the 30s once again across the Northern Country, North-East and Mallee regions.

Sarah Beaumont decided to stay to protect her sprawling property, the Eurambeen Historic Homestead and Gardens, which sits roughly halfway between Ballarat and Ararat, not far from the Bayindeen fire.

Beaumont and her partner prepared with sprinklers, a fire truck and hydrants.

"This is such an important, historic building, that we would hate to lose it," she told 9News.

"We run our business from here. We've got a wedding this Saturday, and we don't want to let anybody down."

The nearby Bayindeen bushfire is burning just 30 kilometres away from Beaufort.

Authorities earlier warned residents in fire zones to evacuate with extremely hot weather and strong winds the biggest threat to the area over tonight.

Another Beaufort resident Ron Davis was today packing everything he owned to leave the small town.

"My life is in the back of this transit van," Davis said.

"I've got everything in there that is special to me and means a lot to me."

Firefighters have been targeting spot fires sparked by the huge Bayindeen fire.

The fire is threatening major tourist destinations in the Grampians, including the popular hub Halls Gap.

Relief centres have already been set up at Ararat and in Maryborough.

Parts of the state have reached 40 degrees and wind gusts of up to 96 kilometres have been reported.

The threat is still far from over, with predictions dry lightning could strike and cause a bushfire.

The catastrophic fire danger warning will likely be in place until at least midnight.